History

Friends for Life began in 1993 - then known as Citizens for Tempe Strays.  Within two years our organization had a solid volunteer base, a dedicated board of directors, and was handling hundreds of adoptions per year.  The growth and success prompted the name change to Friends for Life Animal Sanctuary - a name that better described our organization.  In 1996, after only three short years, Friends for Life was able to lease three buildings in downtown Gilbert - a place that animals call "home" until they find a family of their very own.  In 2010, after re-evaluating our priority of rescue and adoption, and not being a sanctuary facility, Friends for Life Animal Sanctuary changed our name to Friends for Life Animal Rescue.

Our Rescue Work

Friends for Life Animal Rescue is dedicated to the homeless and stray animals living on the streets and in the deserts.  These animals do not have an advocate and will likely suffer starvation, illness, or injury as they try to survive alone.  Animals that are in the shelter will not reproduce and are therefore not perpetuating an overpopulated animal community.  Animals on the street are reproducing and creating even more unwanted animals.  Friends for Life prefers to get to the source of the problem through spaying and neutering.  Our volunteers also work with feral cats - utilizing TNR (Trap/Neuter/Return) - a program Friends for Life has been maintaining since 1993.  This program, Project HART, is a separate program funded by our generous supporters.

Animals of Friends for Life

Cats and dogs rescued by Friends for Life Animal Rescue often need extended care.  Donations from the community support veterinarian visits, surgeries, medication, as well as housing.  Animals awaiting adoption have no time limit to find their adoptive homes; however, our goal is to find a permanent, lifetime, loving home for every animal in our care.  Adopting a cat or dog from Friends for Life not only gives THAT animal a new lease on life, but also allows our volunteers to rescue ANOTHER cat or dog that may not have had a tomorrow.  Friends for Life does not euthanize animals as a means of population control or convenience.